Physical education teacher Megan Skokovic is ringing in her seventh year at Rogers Elementary School with an award. She recently received the honor of being named a 2026 Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Missouri Society of Health and Physical Educators (MOSHAPE).
Skokovic joined the team at Rogers Elementary in 2020, where she has taught health and fitness to students since. Prior to that, she worked for Lindbergh Schools.
“I used to think that I wanted to teach high school because I wanted to be a coach, but I landed my first PE job in an elementary school, and I actually wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Skokovic said. “The kids are so excited to be here.”
Each year, MOSHAPE chooses six PE teachers across six categories to win the Teacher of the Year award: elementary school, middle school, high school, adapted PE, health and dance. Skokovic earned her award in the elementary school category.
“I was shocked,” Skokovic said. “I was super excited because I love what I do, but I was very surprised because I know a lot of great PE teachers.”
About breaking the news to her family, friends and colleagues, Skokovic added, “They were all super supportive, super excited for me. They know how much I love this job, so it felt really good to be recognized for what I do and for the thing I love the most.”
Skokovic was nominated for the award, though she does not know who nominated her. Following the email that she’d been nominated, she had to submit answers to five essay questions about classroom management and her teaching strategy in order to be up for selection for the award.
She says that one of her priorities is building connections with her students and making them feel comfortable in her class, even if PE isn’t their favorite subject.
“I just try to get to know each kid,” Skokovic said. “There are over 400 kids at this school, but I honestly think that I have a relationship with all of them in some way. I think that’s the most important part: getting to know them, know their interests, know about them. I really think it helps them feel more comfortable.”
Skokovic’s role as a PE teacher is paying it forward — she grew up in the Mehlville School District and attributes some of her decision to become a PE teacher to the PE teachers she had as a child.
“It sounds kind of funny, but it did feel neat driving down Telegraph (Road) to my job,” Skokovic said. “I used to ride down Telegraph with my parents all the time, so it was neat coming back to the community I grew up in. There are some families I have at my school right now whose parents went to the same high school that I did, so I’m familiar with people here. It’s a really good feeling coming back.”
MOSHAPE will host its annual convention in November, which Skokovic regularly attends. This year, during the awards ceremony portion, she’ll be able to take the stage and be recognized.
“I just want to thank everybody. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the people I get to see every day and work with every day who have helped me get to where I am,” Skokovic said. “I truly love coming here every day.”